CategoryArchitecture

September 8, 2014Comments Off on Is This Relaxing? A Brutal Looking Sauna Made of Concrete and Steel readArchitecture

Modulorbeat’s One Man Sauna is a wonderfully strange construction found near the German city of Bochum. The work forms part of a research lab project called Borderlands which the architects have been working on since 2012. Borderlands examines the border and transit spaces of the city and attempts to see what role architecture can play in the development of these spaces.

This One Man Sauna is located on the site of an old abandoned factory and stands at nearly 25 feet. Built from old building shafts, the sauna consists primarily of three stacked pre-cast concrete parts. These form three different unique layers on the inside: a plunge pool at the bottom, a sauna on the middle level and a relaxation room and viewing area at the top.

August 27, 2014Comments Off on Elizabeth II, A Beautiful Home in Amagansett by Bates + Masi Architects readArchitecture

Architectural firm Bates Masi + Architects LCC have had roots in New York City and the East End of Long Island for over 50 years. Recently they completed this stunning family home in Amagansett, New York. If anyone knows the area, they’ll know that it’s a popular destination with tourists and features a bustling resort town as well as a number of celebrity homes.

One of the key considerations for this property was to shelter it from the noises of the near-by village. The architects say that their interest in the building’s acoustics was what drove the form, materials and detail of the house. From the outside, it initially looks windowless, with large concrete walls that are nearly 20″ thick. These provide excellent insulation as well as great protection from the sounds of the village.

Inside the home looks bright and spacious with a particularly beautiful living-and-dining space. Its use of different woods makes this area feel relaxing and comforting and its large window opens up to the rear of the property to reveal a garden and pool.

“The research of sound and how it affects our perception of space informed the details, materials, and form of the project” say the architects. “This approach to the design led to a richer and more meaningful home for the family.” I think the finished house looks beautiful, and I’d happily except an invite to come stay-over from whoever its new residents are!

August 18, 2014Comments Off on Summer Escape: The Perfect Holiday Apartment in Barcelona readArchitecture, Design

It’s August and people are on holiday all around the world. Unless you’re like me, working in the U.S., and the idea of holiday is a foreign concept and you can only dream of getting away for a month. To be specific, I’ve been dreaming of this holiday apartment in Barcelona which was rebbed by CaSA, an architecture firm run by Matteo Colombo and Andrea Serboli.

The brief was to transform this neglected, very badly distributed apartment into an attractive holiday home. The property is located in an extremely central street, right between Plaza Catalunya y Plaza Universitat, on the sixth floor of an art nouveau building. Nonetheless, this last floor was built in the ’60 and lacked of the charm of the rest of the building. In order to meet the brief, spaces had to be re-thought completely and all existing partition had to be demolished. The budget was tight and clever solutions were required to complete the needs providing an attractive, contemporary holiday atmosphere.

The biggest success of the space to me is the relationship between inside and outside. The terrace originally had been extremely closed off. The architects came and opened it up with a number of interseting window spaces that allow the air to circulate through the space. They’ve also brought the wood elements from the outside into an indoor relaxing area.

Overall the space is neutral until you reach the hallway, which is a wonderfully rich shade of blue. The hallway leads to three bedrooms which are quite similar, the main difference between them are their brightly colored, tiled bathrooms. The contrast between punches of color and neutrailty is quite nice and lends to a tranquil environement.

View more images and behind the scenes information about the project by clicking here.

Mamva, a health food restaurant based in San Pedro Garza García, Mexico, recently received some fresh new branding and interiors from probably my favorite design agency in the world, Anagrama. Mamva serves fresh smoothies, juices, salads, and paninis, so the branding and identity needed to feel clean, friendly, and honest.

Our proposal uses symbolism and easy, simple language to communicate friendliness and natural health. Drawing from the idea that eating healthy is the best medicine, we featured the snake thanks to its status as a symbol of health and medicine since ancient times.

The color palette and rough materials give a care-free tropical vibe. The logotype presents a built-in, all-in-one practical guide to everything Mamva, such as its schedule and phone number. The brand also uses a simpler version of the logo in seal form, a nod towards its excellent food quality.

August 6, 2014Comments Off on A Four-Story Home In Tokyo That Feels Like A Vertical Garden readArchitecture, Design

If there’s anything any home needs it’s an abundance of plant life. Studies show that plants help fight colds, clean the air, lower your blood pressure and make you happier overall. That said, could you imagine living in a multi-story concrete home that basically slender vertical garden? This is what architect and designer Ryue Nishizawa, one half of the design firm SANAA, has helped create.

Tucked away in a tiny crack in Tokyo is this four-story home which mixes concrete and glass to create a series of terraces and balconies that blurs the line between interior and exterior. The home is united with a spiral staircase the punctuates the space from top to bottom yet still feels elegant, not consuming or overpowering the space.

It’s always fascinating to me to see how the Japanese utilize such unique spaces with such creative solutions. A space like this isn’t for everyone, though if you offered it to me I’d take it in a heart beat.

July 31, 2014Comments Off on These Beautifully Minimalist Holiday Cottages Look Like The Perfect Getaway readArchitecture

Deep in Germany’s Bavarian countryside you’ll find these beautifully simple holiday cottages designed by studio Format Elf Architekten. The three buildings were commissioned by Hofgut; a hotel that already offers 7 cabins, a spa and a restaurant. Designed for guests who are looking to stay for a longer period of time, they look like the perfect place to relax, recuperate and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Photographed here by Lothar Reichel, you can see just how beautiful these buildings are. They were designed to resemble the agricultural buildings of the region, yet in their black-stained timber cladding and their simple form I think they have a real sense of elegance about them.

Despite their initial similarities there are subtle differences between all three cottages. For example, one is located in a small clearing in the woods and its interior has been enhanced with darker elements to echo its more intimate location. Another can be found beside sloping fields and the architects have decided to use a lighter palette for this cottage. The third can found at the edge of a pond, and this one features the lightest finish. All three offer a large floor space, a kitchen area and a mezzanine.

They’re a beautiful collection of buildings and I can imagine that they offer a wonderful spot for those looking to getaway from the demands of a busy lifestyle. More work from Format Elf Architekten can be seen on their website.

July 29, 2014Comments Off on Westwind Farm, An Enviable Stone Farmhouse in Upstate New York readArchitecture, Design

The Line has a great story on Laura Ferrara and Fabio Chizzola and their amazing farm in upstate New York. Both work in fashion, Laura as a fashion editor, Fabio as a fashion photographer, but in 2002 they purchased the stone farmhouse and over the last 13 years has been revitalized. Their apple orchards, once overgrown and unable to bear fruit have been brought back to life, eventually producing a bumper crop which they shared with neighbors.

“This has been thirteen years in the making. It’s not like we woke up one day and said “I’m going to buy a farm!” It’s been self-taught in a lot of ways, and we’ve gone through a lot of ups and downs—hurricanes, lost crops. We feel blessed that we could do this, and we want to spread the kind of joy that we get from it, because that’s why we’re still doing it.”

What’s remarkable is how fully they utilize the farm. The grow pears, raspberries, and garlic, they have flocks of chickens, beehives, they harvest maple syrup, and started harvesting the wood from the orchard for cutting and serving boards. Chizzola uses maple, cherry, or black walnut, all of which can be found on the property, and even uses the beeswax from their hives to protect the wood.

When you think of the locations of fancy ramen bars, Eastern Russia may not be the first place you think of. That’s the location of Mary Wong, a noodle bar located in Rostov-on-Don that was designed by the team at Fork, a studio based in Moscow. They did an incredible job with the branding and the build out, opting to do stay away from the tropes of “Asian” design and instead focus on the materials to evoke a certain feeling.

I feel like the vibe of the space is contemporary with a touch of cyberpunk, thanks to all the concrete and neon. It doesn’t lean too far into the sci-fi aesthetic though thanks to the copious amounts of wood in the floors, stools, and main table. Overall it’s a really fun space that would be welcomed in any city.

July 8, 2014Comments Off on A.P.C.’s New Los Angeles Flagship Shines A Light On Retail Design readArchitecture, Design

Over the weekend I stopped into thew new A.P.C. flagship shop, a space that’s nestled between buzzing Melrose Ave. and the sleepy Melrose Place. The area is dotted with high-end boutiques — such as the lavish Alexander McQueen to the iconically pink Paul Smith – but when you walk into the new A.P.C. it feels like you’ve escaped to a warm, summer retreat. What used to be an old antique shop has been transformed into something comfortable, spacious, and well-considered, with a thoughtful mix of architecture and vegetation.

The central plot features a luxuriously planted garden of Californian natives and is framed by a very large window, spanning 59 ft across 3 sides supported by diagonal wooden columns. In every sense it becomes the true heart of the structure. Ceramic brick, commissioned specifically for this project, is used for the floor and acts as a homage to the Hispanic history of Los Angeles, while providing extra light in its reflective nature. It also remains cool to the touch, important to the boutique where air conditioning is kept at a minimum.

The floor also unifies the space, where 3 presentation spaces are created by playing with the differing volumes inherent to the building. Ceilings range from a 20 ft cathedral-like stature to a more humble cottage-like height. As well as the central courtyard, the dual entrance from Melrose Avenue and Melrose Place creates a flow and sense of accessibility to the boutique.

Walking through the space you’re definitely met with a sense of comfort. I went around noon and the light was marvelous, spilling in from the skylights and tall windows. As mentioned above the floor tiles really do reflect the light beautifully, which in turn makes all of the wooden elements radiate a warmth that I’ve never experienced in a retail environment before. I wanted to sit and relax in the shop like it was my home.

The boutique will house the full A.P.C. men’s and women’s collections as well as the recently expanded denim collection, accessories, and collaborations. The Melrose shop will be the crown jewel to an ever-expanding presence in Los Angeles with new shops opening in downtown and Silver Lake in late 2014. Based on this space I’m excited to see how they continue to evolve their spaces.

February 24, 2014Comments Off on Adam Simpson Illustrates Architecture From Around The Globe readArchitecture, Illustration

Last November Nowness asked Moby to curate a playlist which twined music with buildings. The resulting piece was accompanied by some beautiful illustrations by the London-based illustrator Adam Simpson and I feel he really did an excellent job of combining Moby’s musical selections with his architectural choices.